Skip to navigation Skip to content Skip to footer

Volleyball

Townsend and Roe Earn All-GLIAC Honors

Townsend and Roe Earn All-GLIAC Honors
Posted: Nov 21, 2025

UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced its 2025 Women's Volleyball postseason awards on Friday, and Saginaw Valley State University earned two honorees. Rachel Townsend (Oxford, Mich. / Oxford HS) was named Second Team All-GLIAC, while Marissa Roe (Valparaiso, Ind. / Chesterton HS) was selected as Honorable Mention All-GLIAC for the first time in her career.

Townsend emerged as one of the conference's most productive attackers in 2025, finishing the regular season fourth in the GLIAC in kills per set (3.40) and leading the Cardinals with 343 total kills. She added 254 digs, 31 blocks, and 29 service aces while recording six double-doubles throughout the season. Townsend reached double-digit kills in 17 matches, including a career-high 27 in a five-set loss to Northern Michigan on Oct. 3.

Head coach Lana Rybkwoski had this to say about Townsend,

"Rachel was unstoppable this season. Her court vision and explosive jump was almost unmatched, and she played with a confidence that demanded attention. Rachel has so much more to prove- and she's more than ready for the challenge ahead."

Roe anchored SVSU's front line throughout the year, earning Honorable Mention recognition after posting 66 total blocks, ranking second in the GLIAC in blocks per set with 1.10. Roe recorded a career-high 10 blocks against Tiffin at the Midwest Region Crossover with four solos and six assists. She also had nine assists against Roosevelt and Michigan Tech, tallying five or more blocks in eight of the 20 matches she played in.

Rybkowski said this about her freshman middle blocker,

"Marissa is the future of SVSU Volleyball. She cares deeply about her teammates and their success, and she shows it every day. She's the ultimate team player- steady, selfless, and committed to elevating everyone around her."

The pair matches the All-GLIAC awards from 2024 and 2022 with one second team and one honorable mention for SVSU volleyball. The Cardinals improved by two wins this year in Rybkowski's second season.